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Dear People of Grace,
Youth... Making A Difference In The World.
The UMC sponsors several new programs that help youth impact those in need.
SPARK 12 gives people 18 - 35 the opportunity to create innovative programs that make a difference. For example...
* The Polaris Project fights human trafficking . Two
Brown University students founded the program.
* Ambatana Threads is a handmade clothing
business that employs the skills and creative ideas
of refugee women.
The purpose of approved projects is to create a sustainable ministry versus making a profit.
SPARK 12 acts as the catalyst. They secure seed money and provide 3 months of intensive mentor ship.
Candidates, teams of 1 - 3 people, submit ministry proposals... sort of a "business plan"... to an executive design team. This committee comprised of church, agency, profit, and non profit advisers and young adults determines which projects... ministries... will be funded.
A theological leader helps the team determine where God is in their work. Support teams including professionals, coaches, and technical experts within the project's field are provided for guidance.
At the end of 18 weeks a team member goes before a reviewing committee to make the case for continued funding. This might result in folding the program into its existing ministry... another group or agency ... or it might go forward on its own with the existing members.
So far, SPARK 12 has raised 19 of their 75 million dollar funding goal.
US-2 asks for a 2 year ministry commitment from those 20 - 30 years old to serve in domestic programs. If you sign as a mission intern they ask for a 3 year commitment. In that case you spend about half the time domestically and half overseas.
The missionaries serve with and not to or for others. They all work with a United Methodist partner organization, faith community, or institution.
The programs are open to Methodists worldwide... but participants must be fluent in English because all training is done in that language.
Both the 2 and 3 year missionaries receive a small monthly stipend.
The SPARK 12 and US-2 programs offer a means for the young to make a difference without extended seminary training. They also provide a foundation for
church leadership.
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